Copyright (c) 2008 by Bianca D'Arc. All Rights Reserved.

"You've given me the means to destroy you utterly." Dr. Waithe silenced all in the room with her soft statement.

Tigh bowed his head. "Without our women, we are already dead."

Silence reigned for long, long moments.

"What do you propose?" This from the leader of the Council, an older woman named Mathilde Grey who had been a very successful lawyer, then Galactic Court judge before being voted to her current leadership position. She was a shrewd woman who made tough decisions Tigh had studied in some detail, looking for clues to the woman's personality. Everything he read indicated a decisive nature tempered by wisdom and compassion. He was counting on that compassion to save them all and now was their moment of truth. Perhaps the first of many. Or the last of his life.

"A blending of our races." The murmurs in the chamber were back, louder this time. "Jit'suku do not make war on their own kind. It is one of the main tenets of our society. Now that we know for certain there is jit'suku DNA in humanity, our warriors are thrown into chaos. Once my people believe what the scientists are telling them, they will cease all hostility against humans."

"But how do you make them believe?" Leader Grey asked, drawing attention as silence reigned once again in the large chamber.

"By joining with humanity in a visible statement, as my ancestor Tren did. By making a human woman my Empress."

Murmurs became loud talking as the listeners erupted in various reactions to his startling words. So far, no one seemed ready to kill him, so Tigh figured he had a good chance of pulling this off.

Tigh took a moment to look around the room, gauging reaction, taking note of people he hadn't really seen before. There were many, many women here, and only a handful of men scattered throughout. They were all big men with similar features. They looked like brothers and Tigh realized they were-of a sort. They were undoubtedly Sons, made from similar genetic material, though there was surely enough diversity built into their codes to assure successive generations would breed properly.

His eyes returned to Michael, the warrior standing just a few feet from him and he noted the small female aide now delivering some message to him. Suddenly, Tigh was struck. This woman…this woman seemed somehow familiar…somehow important. Tigh took an almost involuntary step forward, breathing in deeply to sort out her delicious scent from that of the rest of the room. She was close enough, he could scent her curiosity as she watched him stalk nearer. He also felt a warming thrum within his own body, the recognition of a mate that had never left his people, primitive as it was.

This was a woman he could see as his empress. This woman just might be the one who could mate him and make him the happiest of men. And she was human!

Tigh could hardly believe it.

Michael must have noticed his approach, for he placed himself in front of the woman, blocking Tigh's path. He might have challenged the Son of Amber, right there in front of everyone, but the Leader's voice called him back to his purpose.

"What do you propose?"

Tigh tried to hide his excitement. It would not do to act the fool at such a crucial moment. Better to appeal to their generous, human hearts.

"We have many motherless boys among our people now, as you have many women who might enjoy the chance to raise a male child. I would guarantee safe passage for any woman who wants to come to our galaxy to visit, at first, or settle, if they wish to stay. Our orphanages are overrun and our men are, in many cases, unable to cope. Many wish to get away from the reminders of their loss. If you permit, I'm sure a few jit'suku men and their children would relish the chance to come to your galaxy and make a new life among your women as well. My plan is to make such movement completely voluntary. It is only up to us, as leaders, to remove the obstacles and allow for it." He read skepticism on many faces, particularly those involved with the military. "You can, of course, put limits on how many men you allow through, and where. For my part, I will place no limits on the number of women who may want to come look for a mate or a child among my people. We can use all the help we can get."

"And who would you take as your Empress to cement the deal?" Leader Grey challenged him with an odd smile. "I'm too old for you, sadly." Her little joke broke the tension in the chamber and startled laughs from several ladies.

Tigh bowed his head gallantly towards the Leader, but everything in him was focused on the alluring scent of the female still standing just behind Michael Amber. Tigh turned back to face the other man, meeting his eyes with a plea in his own that the Son seemed to understand. Michael moved aside and the brunette beauty was once again revealed, a welcome sight for his hungry heart. She was radiant, and a little uncomfortable with all eyes now focused on her. Still, she stood her ground and Tigh noticed for the first time she wore the uniform of a high-ranking military officer. He grinned at the thought. She would make one hell of an empress.

"I'll take her, if she'll have me."

Shocked gasps sounded through the room, but he paid them no mind. No, all he wanted now was to take the beautiful girl in his arms and see if she could actually be the one his heart thought never to find in this lifetime.

He strode toward her, noting with pleasure how she stood her ground, facing him down with curiosity and very little fear. When he stood toe to toe with her, he smiled gently to put her at ease.

"Forgive me, but I must know..."

His words were for her ears alone as he pulled her lithe body into his arms and kissed her soundly. Her lips were plump and soft under his, yielding after the first moment of stunned surprise. She swayed against him as his tongue sought and gained entrance to her mouth and her unique flavor blossomed across his senses as no other had ever before. Her scent flooded him, the feel of her humbled him.

This was his woman!

The mother goddess surely was smiling on him from her home in the stars. To put this special woman in his path at this moment was the sign he'd hoped for, but hadn't ever expected. For each jit'suku warrior, there was one special woman-the mate to his heart. He often knew her on sight, always upon their first kiss. The Emperor Tren had known his own human mate when he first met and kissed her. So too did Tigh know this small human woman-a warrior woman, no less-was his perfect mate.

A strong hand on his shoulder pulled him back to his senses. Michael, the Son of Amber, spoke behind him.

"You'd better let her go, or emperor or not, I'll kick your ass for manhandling one of my officers."

Tigh pulled back, shaking his head to clear his senses, but it didn't quite work. Luckily, the human woman in his arms looked just as shaken. Though he hadn't held a female of any species in many years, one never did quite forget the look of an aroused woman. Tigh licked his lips and noted the way her dazed eyes followed the movement of his tongue.

Drawing back further, he felt eyes on them and knew he was making a scene, but he couldn't help himself. When she swayed, he steadied her, doing more for his cause-had he but realized it-with a simple kiss than he ever would have done with words alone. The romantic display would be broadcast over and over on every human world in the coming days, setting many lonely female hearts aflutter.

When she could stand on her own, Tigh stepped back and sank to one knee once more, only this time it wasn't in surrender, it was in supplication.

"I would give you my heart, if you will but take it." His eyes held hers, only slightly above his kneeling height. She was a petite little thing, even for a human.

"You don't even know me." Her low voice whispered through him, sealing itself in his soul.

"My heart knows yours. The goddess put you in my path at this most important of moments and I found you. That's all that matters. But I know you humans do things differently." Tigh stood with a sigh. "I will court you," he searched her uniform for her nametag, "Captain Starbridge, and show you that we are meant to be together. Then you will consent to be my bride."

Tigh couldn't help the smile that lit his face, The woman stared at him as if he were crazed, but he just couldn't help the joy that bubbled inside him. Not only would they forge a lasting peace, but he would do it with his destined mate at his side. Life simply could not get any better for a man in his position. They had a rough road ahead, for a certainty, but with his woman at his side, he could face anything that came.

Copyright (c) 2008 by Bianca D'Arc. All Rights Reserved.